Release device for sockets incorporated in ratchet wrenches

ABSTRACT

An improvement incorporated in a ratchet wrench to facilitate removal of sockets from socket engaging stud. The device comprises the construction of two socket ejector channels through the drive cylinder adjacent opposite sides of the socket engaging stud. The socket ejector having the general configuration of an elongated staple projects through the ejection channels and is capable of contacting and ejecting a socket from the drive stud when pressure is applied to the socket ejector head by the user.

ilnite States Patent Penner RELEASE DEVICE FOR SOCKETS INCORPORATED IN RATCHET WRENCHES John Penner, Rt. 4-204 P. Hillcrest Dr., Brownwood, Tex. 7680] Filed: Mar. 7, 1973 Appl. No.: 338,890

Inventor:

U.S.Cl. ..81/l84,81/121 R,81/177 G,

279/79 Int. Cl B25b 23/00, B25b 13/06 Field of Search 81/121 R, 124.1, 177 0,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1907 Mulrony 81/177 G UX 2/1928 Carpenter 81/177 G UX June ll, 1974 3,138,984 6/1964 Penner 81/184 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-James G. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Willard J. Hodges, Jr.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT An improvement incorporated in a ratchet wrench to facilitate removal of sockets from socket engaging stud. The device comprises the construction of two socket ejector channels through the drive cylinder adjacent opposite sides of the socket engaging stud. The socket ejector having the general configuration of an elongated staple projects through the ejection channels and is capable of contacting and ejecting a socket from the drive stud when pressure is applied to the socket ejector head by the user.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 1 1 #9 38151451 F561 FIG.2

RELEASE DEVICE FOR SOCKETS INCORPORATED IN RATCIIET WRENCIIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The improvement of this invention may be incorporated in any of a wide variety of ratchet wrenches currently manufactured and sold throughout the world. The improvement could be incorporated in nonratchet, long handle, socket drive sometimes referred to as breaker bars." The device has a functional result similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,013 or your applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,984. The device has and can be incorporated in miscellaneous ratchet wrenches sold under the trade name of Snap-on, Husky, and Proto. I

2. Description of Prior Art The difficulty of removing tightly engaged sockets from the engaging stud of a ratchet wrench has prompted several attempted solutions to the problem. The pressing of a plunger releasing the detent ball into a recessis one approach disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,532,013. A related approach is U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,29l and U.S. Pat. No. 3,393,587. A separate attachment to the wrench for releasing the socket from the stud is your applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,984.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An examination of the relatively complicated mechanism heretofore employed to release the socket from the socket engaging stud prompted your inventor to seek a structurally simple solution to the vexing problem. An object of the invention was to accomplish the desired results with a minimum modification of the ratchet drive cylinder and a minimal reduction in the strength of the drive cylinder and socket engaging stud. The solution of the problem was to construct two parallel holes through the drive cylinder adjacent the socket engaging stud. An elongated U-shaped socket ejector projects through the drive cylinder. When pressure is applied to the socket by the socket ejector, the socket is removed from the drive stud.

For a description of the construction and operation of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the attached drawings and the following detailed description wherein identical reference numbers will be utilized to refer to similar or equivalent components throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device incorporated in the ratchet wrench employing an external drive awl. p FIG. 2 is a side view of the wrench of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a different species of socket wrench illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device incorporated in a ratchet wrench employing an internal drive pawl.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view partially fragmented of the wrench of FIG. 1 disclosing primarily the socket engaging stud and the relative position of the first and second ejector arm detents and the first and second socket ejector arm retainers.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the socket wrench of FIG. 4 disclosing primarily the socket engaging stud and the relative position of the first and second ejector arm detents and the firs and second socket ejector arm retainers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT the drive cylinder 13 is controlled by the manner in which the pawl teeth and cylinder teeth intermesh. The selective action is controlled by reversing lever 17 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4. A wide variety of sockets 18 can be utilized on the socket engaging stud 19.These studs 19 are of conventional construction having a ball detent 20 machined in one side of stud 19. A detent spring 21 is positioned in detent 20 and detent ball 22 is placed in detent 20 and retained in position by ball retainer 23. This retainer 23 may comprise an appendage from the socket engaging stud 19 or may comprise a reduction in the diameter of the ball detent 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. I

For an illustration of the modification to the ratchet socket wrench l0 adapting it to receive socket ejector 24, reference is particularly made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. A first socket ejector channel 25 and a second socket ejector channel 26 may be constructed in or drilled through drive cylinder 13. The socket ejector 24 may take the configuration of FIG. 2 or FIG. 4. In either configuration, the device must include a first socket ejector arm 28 and a second socket ejector arm 29 which project through the first and second socket ejector channels 25 and 26. Care must be exercised in the drilling or construction of channels 25 and 26 so as not posite sides of the socket engaging stud 19. These detents are designated as first ejector arm detent 30 and second ejector arm detent 31. Their construction and position is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. The ends of the first and second socket ejector arms 28 or 29 should be constructed with an angular bent projection or an enlarged section designated as the first socket ejector arm retainer 32 or the second socket ejector arm retainer 33.

The socket ejectors 24 may take the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 incorporating a socket ejector knurled head 34 or have the staple like configuration of FIG.4. In certain applications, the knurled head 34 affords advantages in rapid rotation of the drive cylinder 13 in starting or removing nuts.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE The operation of the device is rather obvious from a review of the attached drawings. When socket 18 is positioned in the operable position on socket engaging stud 19, the socket ejector 24 is moved to the retracted position. Socket ejector head 27 projects above the head 12 of the ratchet wrench in a manner illustrated in FIG. 2. First and second socket ejection arms 28 and 29 are retracted and the retainers 32 and 33 are encased in the detents and 31. A slight pressure applied by the operator to socket ejector head 27 readily removes socket 18 from the socket engaging stud 19.

The invention of this device has been illustrated in two species incorporated in socket wrenches of different design. Utilization of this device is not limited to the specific configurations illustrated. The device may be incorporated in other types of wrenches.

What is desired to be claimed is all embodiments of the invention not departing from the scope or equivalents of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: 3

l. A socket drive means comprising:

a. a head,

b. an elongated handle securedly attached to and projecting from said head,

c. a socket engaging stud securely affixed to and projecting from said head,

.d. a firstsocket ejection channel constructed in and projecting through said head terminating adjacent said socket engaging stud,

'e. a second socket ejector channel constructed in and projecting through said head and terminating adjacent said socket engaging stud,

f. a first socket ejector arm mounted in and projecting through said first socket ejector channel,

g. a second socket ejector arm mounted in and projecting through said second socket ejector channel, and

h. a socket ejector head securely interconnecting said first socket ejector arm and said second socket ejector arm.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

a. said head is a ratchet head,

b. a ratchet drive cylinder rotatibly mounted in said ratchet head, and

c. a socket engaging stud securely affixed to and projecting from said ratchet drive cylinder.

- 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said socket ejector head is a substantially round knurled head.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first socket ejector channel and said second socket ejector channel include:

a. a first socket ejector arm detent constructed in said first socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud,

b. a second socket arm ejector detent constructed in said second socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud,

c. a first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said first socket ejector arm, said first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said first socket ejector arm detent, and

d. a second socket ejector arm retainer'constructed in said second socket ejector arm, said second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said second socket ejector arm detent.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said first socket ejector arm channel and said second socket ejector arm channel include:

a. a first socket ejector arm detent constructed in said first socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud,

b. a second socket ejector arm detent constructed in said second socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud,

c. a first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said first socket ejector arm,'said first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said first socket ejector arm detent, and

d. a second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said second socket ejector arm, said second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said second socket ejector arm detent.

6. The invention of claim 1 including a spring loaded ball detent member mounted in said socket engaging stud.

7. The invention of claim 2 including a spring loaded ball detent member mounted in said socket engaging 

1. A socket drive means comprising: a. a head, b. an elongated handle securedly attached to and projecting from said head, c. a socket engaging stud securely affixed to and projecting from said head, d. a first socket ejection channel constructed in and projecting through said head terminating adjacent said socket engaging stud, e. a second socket ejector channel constructed in and projecting through said head and terminating adjacent said socket engaging stud, f. a first socket ejector arm mounted in and projecting through said first socket ejector channel, g. a second socket ejector arm mounted in and projecting through said second socket ejector channel, and h. a socket ejector head securely interconnecting said first socket ejector arm and said second socket ejector arm.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein: a. said head is a ratchet head, b. a ratchet drive cylinder rotatibly mounted in said ratchet head, and c. a socket engaging stud securely affixed to and projecting from said ratchet drive cylinder.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said socket ejector head is a substantially round knurled head.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first socket ejector channel and said second socket ejector channel include: a. a first socket ejector arm detent constructed in said first socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud, b. a second socket arm ejector detent constructed in said second socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud, c. a first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said first socket ejector arm, said first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said first socket ejector arm detent, and d. a second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said second socket ejector arm, said second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said second socket ejector arm detent.
 5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said first socket ejector arm channel and said second socket ejector arm channel include: a. a first socket ejector arm detent constructed in said first socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud, b. a second socket ejector arm detent constructed in said second socket ejector channel adjacent said socket engaging stud, c. a first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said first socket ejector arm, said first socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said first socket ejector arm detent, and d. a second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in said second socket ejector arm, said second socket ejector arm retainer constructed in a configuration adapted to nestle in said second socket ejector arm detent.
 6. The invention of claim 1 including a spring loaded ball detent member mounted in said socket engaging stud.
 7. The invention of claim 2 including a spring loaded ball detent member mounted in said socket engaging stud. 